Ekeomah Atuonwu
The Lagos State Government has reacted to a reported allegation of sexual abuse involving Chrisland School students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
All complaints are being investigated by the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, according to a statement released on Monday.
They include the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, as well as the Ministries of Education, Youth and Social Development, Justice, and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.
Abiodun Alabi, the Commissioner of Police, has been notified of the criminal allegations. The administration stated that it is committed to providing necessary medical and psychosocial help.
According to the statement, all child-centered institutions in the state shall establish and execute policies and systems in accordance with the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Program Executive Order (NO.EO/AA08 of 2016).
Any person who engages in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child commits an offence and is liable to a custodial sentence of fourteen (14) years. “This includes “producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography”.
“In the meantime, all Chrisland Schools within Lagos State are hereby closed, pending further investigations”, it added.
ALLEGED ABUSE
On Monday, a video of the mother of an accused victim pleading for help went viral, igniting debate and controversy.
Chrisland, she claimed, had attempted to conceal the situation. Ubi Franklin stated in a video that Chrisland suspended her daughter when the school discovered she was aware of the severity of the alleged abuse.
Chrisland has yet to respond to the claims in any way. In an indefinite suspension letter signed by Chrisland’s Head Teacher, G.I. Azike, the school said the alleged victim “with a few of her counterparts willfully participated in a game they called ‘Truth or Dare’, a game which led her and a few other co-learners to carry out immoral act after the lights out instruction was given.”
“It was discovered that your daughter was involved in improper behaviour during the recently concluded World School Games in Dubai.”
“In line with our core values centred on discipline, Chrisland Schools have zero tolerance for any improper behaviour and misconduct.”
“A full-scale investigation has been done and the parents of all the culpable learners have been duly notified of the necessary punishment meted out on the learners.
The parents gave their full cooperation realizing the need to work with the school so that the learners can be corrected and be of expected proper behaviour henceforth.
“However, in the course of the school’s efforts to see how best we can help who was a major participant in the whole incident, every effort to inform you as her parent about the incident and ensure that this improper behaviour is permanently corrected, has proved to be futile.”
Chrisland schools is one of Nigeria’s prestigious educational institution with outlets around the country.
SEE THE VIDEO
The mother of the 10y/o Chrisland school girl cries out for help 😭😭
— JUST KINGS 👑™️ (@JustKingss) April 18, 2022
(Part 1). Truth or Dare pic.twitter.com/dF2r1QobfO
